May urged to use ‘Brexit dividend’ to pay for big rise in healthcare funding

THERESA May was last night under pressure from Brexit-backing Tory MPs to rule out tax hikes for funding extra spending on the NHS. The Prime Minister was urged to use the “Brexit dividend” cash saved from scrapping Britain’s annual EU membership fee for boosting the ailing health and social care system rather than increasing the tax burden on households.

Brexiteer MPs also suggested the Government should be prepared to cancel the expected £39billion EU “divorce” fee and redirect the money to healthcare in response to the lack of co-operation from Brussels in the withdrawal negotiations.

Fresh Tory concerns about the Government’s NHS spending plans emerged yesterday following unconfirmed reports that the Prime Minister is poised to unveil a £4billion hike in health spending to mark the 70th anniversary of the founding of the NHS next month.

A report – dismissed as “speculation” by Downing Street officials yesterday – claimed Mrs May planned to fund the spending rise through a combination of tax rises, extra borrowing and cash from the Brexit dividend.

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Mr Redwood urged the Prime Minister to ensure the Brexit dividend is available as soon as possible by scrapping the EU negotiations and cancelling the proposed exit fee.

He said: “The EU is not offering us anything for our £39billion fee. We should not pay it and simply leave.”

Downing Street officials declined to comment yesterday on the reports of an imminent announcement of a three per cent annual increase in health spending as part of a multi-year settlement for the service.

A spokeswoman for Mrs May said: “The Prime Minister is committed to coming forward with a long-term plan for social care and the NHS.”

The spokeswoman added that an announcement by the Government earlier this week that immigration visa restrictions on doctors and nurses will be lifted to help NHS recruitment was the first stage in a series of announcements about healthcare.